Mid-Atlantic Regional Showcase (MARS)

Continuing the ongoing monthly showcase of independent films presented by the DC Independent Film Festival, the Montgomery College Film Department and AFI, August MARS presents a new Shakespearean take-off by Gil Cates, Jr., son of Gilbert Cates, producer of numerous Annual Academy Award Shows and an AN AMERICAN CELEBRATION AT FORD'S THEATER. The film will be presented three times, with the opening showcase the first Tuesday in August at 9:30 p.m. Co-producer Summer Forest Hoeckel will attend the August 3 opening. Tickets for all MARS screenings are $5.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S RAVE

A contemporary take on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, this whimsical story is set in modern Los Angeles over the course of a single night. Here, the cast is subject to hi-jinx in a massive, deserted "forest"-the fantasy world of a rave set inside a warehouse-for what they believe will be a crazy night of pure, unadulterated fun. Inspired by the music, lights, lasers-and a few "glowing pills" from the "magical" Puck- the fun unfolds. The rave scenes feature some of today's top DJs, including DJ Irene, Donald Glaude, Christopher Lawrence and Charles Feelgood.

Directed by Gil Cates, Jr.; written by Robert Raymond; produced by Gil Cates, Jr. and Summer Forest Hoeckel. US, 2004, color, 85 min. RATED R

"This movie rocks. The music is excellent and the story is great; to see Puck as an ecstasyselling fruit-cake and O.B. John (Oberon) as the Jesus of the rave scene is wonderful-definitely see this one in your local theatre." -AIN'T IT COOL NEWS